How Nigeria Got It Independence: Celebrating Nigeria On Independence Day (2020)

Nigeria celebrates its ⭐️Independence Day⭐️ every 1st of October. The celebration began ever since the country got her Independence from the British on 1st of October, 1960. Ekomiami brings all you need to know about the country history before the arrival of the British, before Independence, during Independence, leaders of the country immediately the country after independence and how the country celebrates the day every year.

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Nigeria Pre-Colonial History

Nigeria pre-colonial history dates back to 11,000 BC. The pre-historic tribes around the country developed in their own way and formed up the current ethnic groups present in the country today.

Before the British colonized the area called Nigeria, there were several independent kingdoms and states like that of the Benin Kingdom. These independent kingdoms and states lived as neighbours up to the moment the Europeans came. The British decided to group them to make administration easier for them. 

Before the arrival of the British, even as far back as the 1600s, the coastal Nigerian areas traded with the Europeans periodically where they sold slaves (people) who were taken to America to work. When slavery was abolished, the people located in the coastal area of Nigeria began trading their trading palm oil and other local products for the European goods and products. The trade with other Europeans declined after the British had conquered those areas and had forcefully established their rule.

Lagos was taken in 1851 and converted to a colony in 1861. By 1884, Calabar had become the protectorate capital and remained so till 1906. The Benin Kingdom collapsed in 1897 and was also turned to a colony by the British. All the lands that were already under the protectorate of the British Empire were joined into several colonies: the Colony of Lagos, the Niger Coast, and the Northern Protectorate on January 1, 1901. For further simplicity, the Colony of Lagos and Niger Coast were amalgamated in 1914. 

The amalgamation led to Nigeria of today. The country name Nigeria was coined by Flora Shaw, the wife of Lord Lugard. She named the country after the biggest river in the area, which is river Niger. 

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Nigeria Before Independence

Nigeria was colonized some 60 years ago like many other African countries. The country was colonized by the British who are Europeans for many years. At that time, African tribes could not oppose the Europeans because the Europeans had superior war equipment like were easily subdued by the white colonial powers. Africa colonization brought about many changes. Such changes include replacing the African culture, religion and traditions with that of the Europeans.

Africans began to think of how to be freed of this colonial slavery and started rebelling against the authority of the whites. This rebellion gained ground over the years until there were enough Africans, whose voices could be heard, who opposed the colonization of Africa by the Europeans. 

Nigerians joined the freedom fight from 1922 to 1959 after the British have ruled for so many years. Nationalists like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and the rest awaken the Nigerian national spirit. The fight for freedom eventually led to the British thought of newer ways to colonize the people of Nigeria. This includes the British creating several new constitutions meant in calming down the people’s rebellion. This was not effective as the people (Nigerians) were not happy with the kind of life they were living under the colonial rule. They wanted freedom!

By October 27, 1958, the United Kingdom saw that Nigeria was better ruled by its people and concluded that Nigeria needs to be an independent state. 

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On Nigeria Independence Day

On October 1st, 1960 Nigeria gained her Independence. At midnight on that October 1st 1960, the country replaced the British Union Jack flag with a new flag signifying that the country was longer ruled by the British. 

Nigeria also changed the national anthem from “God Save the Queen” to “Nigeria We Hail Thee” that same day. The new anthem lyrics was written by Lillian Jean Williams, a British expatriate who lived in Nigeria at that time. 

Immediate Nigeria Leaders After Independence

The first Prime Minister of Nigeria is Abubakar Tafawa Balewa. The first Executive President of the most populous black country is Nnamdi Azikiwe, who previously held the position of Governor-General. Jaja Wachuku is the first Nigerian House of Representatives Speaker. Simultaneously, he received the Freedom Charter – the famous Nigerian Instrument of Independence. Nigeria became a republic in 1963. 

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How Nigeria Celebrate Independence Day

There is a national public holiday every October 1st to celebrate the country’s Independence Day. As a rule, the celebration starts with a live broadcast of the President’s speech dedicated to all the citizens. The President’s speech is usually followed by the parade of the armed forces. 

The day is also used to remember those who had dedicated their lives and efforts to make the country achieve Independence and also to honour the dead.

Nigerians do hold cultural and ethnic events on Independence Day to help unite the bond among the over 250 ethnic groups in the country.